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Heidi Gray McGill
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Desire of My Heart: A Shumard Oak Bend Novel (Discerning God’s Best Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Heidi Gray McGill (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 1,625 ratings
𝑵𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒎𝒆, 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝑮𝒐𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒋𝒐𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈.

In the heart of 1858 Missouri, Rachel's world is a whirlwind of uncertainty. But amidst the darkness of her circumstances, she clings to the promise of joy that God whispers to her soul.

Facing the grim reality of being sold off into marriage as she ages out of the orphanage, Rachel refuses to accept her fate. With determination blazing in her heart, she hatches a daring plan with her beloved brother to escape the cruel grip of destiny.

Enter Melvin, a widower burdened with raising two young children alone. Desperate for help, he sees a glimmer of hope in Rachel—a chance for a new beginning through a marriage of convenience.

As God intertwines their lives, the five of them embark on a journey that transcends the bounds of blood, forming an unlikely family bound by love, resilience, and unwavering faith. Through trials and triumphs, they forge a home where hope blooms even in the harshest of circumstances.

But just when they think they've found their slice of heaven on Earth, tragedy strikes, threatening to shatter their newfound happiness. Yet, guided by the light of God's love and surrounded by a steadfast community, they rise from the ashes stronger than ever before.

Rachel's adventure unfolds against the backdrop of a tumultuous era, where every twist and turn brings her closer to her heart’s desire. Yet, in her quest for love, purpose, and security, she discovers that God's plans far surpass her wildest dreams.

Join Rachel on her breathtaking journey through the untamed landscapes of the past, where love, faith, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow illuminate even the darkest of nights.

In this powerful Christian historical fiction, award-winning author Heidi Gray McGill weaves an enthralling tale of resilience, redemption, and the enduring power of God's grace.

For Misty M. Beller, Lacy Williams, and Linda Ford fans, this standalone novel in the Discerning God’s Best series will capture your heart and leave you breathless. You’ll love this book if you enjoy gripping historical drama and compelling characters. Binge-read the entire series on Kindle Unlimited.

• Full-length Christian historical fiction
• A standalone novel in the Discerning God’s Best series
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs
• Timeline: 1858 – 1857
• For fans of Misty M. Beller, Lacy Williams, and Linda Ford

Book One: Desire of My Heart
Book Two: With All My Heart
Companion Christmas Novella: Stitched on My Heart
Book Three: Matters of the Heart
Book Four: Healing of the Heart
Book Five: Written on My Heart
Prequel: Deep in My Heart – available for free with newsletter signup. Search Heidi Gray McGill to locate her website.
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  1. Book 1 of 6
    Discerning God’s Best
  2. Print length
    417 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    November 8, 2020
  6. File size
    2.1 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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  1. “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”
    Highlighted by 21 Kindle readers
  2. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
    Highlighted by 19 Kindle readers
  3. “Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.”
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Editorial Reviews

Review

From the Author

For years, I happily served as a Beta reader. I enjoyed the process of thinking through the details of whatever book I was engrossed in. I'd read to see if characters were compelling, sympathetic, or someone I found myself rooting for. I envisioned the characters to see if they felt real and were three-dimensional, with distinct voices, flaws, and virtues.

I wondered--Can I do this? Can I write the way I like to read?

There was no "story" in my mind when I started. I chose to create a character I could relate to, someone simple and plain.

In a way, I wrote my own story.

Like most authors, I struggled when I began writing Desire of My Heart. So much was wrong with that book, if you could even call it that. After learning what I needed to do to make it worthy of being published, I put it on a "shelf" and let it go. I walked away.

Only the characters would not let me leave them locked in the Cloud for long.

When Covid-19 hit, my schedule became free to focus on the novel again because the ESL program I was directing closed. I dusted off the cover and reintroduced myself to my old friends, and Desire of My Heart was born.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08MZLCNH1
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Heidi Gray McGill Books LLC
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 8, 2020
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 2nd
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.1 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 417 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 6 ‏ : ‎ Discerning God’s Best
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 1,625 ratings

About the author

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Heidi Gray McGill

Heidi Gray McGill

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Heidi is an award-winning and best-selling author. Whether historical or contemporary, you will find Heidi’s writing true works of Christian Fiction, full of God’s redeeming love.

Everything Heidi writes is purposeful. She believes in bringing a reader into the awareness of who God is to them and how He interacts with them on a personal level. She does this by crafting characters so relatable you feel part of who they are.

Heidi reaches deep into the reader’s heart through masterfully written words and offers ways toward healing by seamlessly applying God’s Word throughout her stories.

Heidi is an optimist who chooses to find the silver lining in life’s clouds of doubt. She lives with her husband of thirty-one years near Charlotte, NC. When she isn’t writing, you will find her outside playing with her two grandsons, walking, scrapbooking, reading, cooking, traveling, or finding an excuse to have an outing with a girlfriend.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
1,625 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book mesmerizing with engaging plot twists and turns that hold their interest throughout. The story features wonderful characters who use Scripture in their personal situations, and customers appreciate its spiritual content, noting how it's full of God's love on every page. Customers describe it as an emotional roller-coaster that brings both tears and smiles, while also praising its realistic portrayal of family dynamics and neighbors caring for each other.

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128 customers mention "Story quality"128 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's story mesmerizing and engaging, quickly drawing them in with its twists and turns in the plot.

"I love this book series. Each book is about different characters with a new story but interwoven with previous book characters...." Read more

"...Great story and will reread book two now." Read more

"...Interesting storyline that makes it hard to put down - centered on leaning into faith in God who is our help in all things and through all our..." Read more

"...this made for an inspiring, inspirational Christian fiction that did not disappoint. Kudos to Heidi and to the God she serves...." Read more

113 customers mention "Faith"113 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the spiritual content of the book, describing it as a beautiful story full of God's love on every page, and one customer notes how it weaves the goodness of God throughout the narrative.

"...It’s refreshing to read how the author uses her faith in God as the characters face life’s challenges. I highly recommend this book series." Read more

"...I prayed, laugh, and cried. It will strengthen your spiritual walk. Must read." Read more

"...Interesting storyline that makes it hard to put down - centered on leaning into faith in God who is our help in all things and through all our..." Read more

"...Get and read this book and let it bless you, humble you, correct you, and inspire you, which is what good Christian fiction should do...." Read more

53 customers mention "Character development"53 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, noting how the author invites readers to feel the emotions of the characters and how they use Scripture in their personal situations.

"I love this book series. Each book is about different characters with a new story but interwoven with previous book characters...." Read more

"...Charlie is another great character with his simple, silent affirmation of thanks to God by tilting his head up and winking at the sky and saying, “..." Read more

"...Death & illness are addressed as the story builds to include multiple new characters...." Read more

"...The main character is a likeable and brave young girl, almost of age, who runs away from an orphanage with her kid brother rather than get auctioned..." Read more

39 customers mention "Writing quality"37 positive2 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, finding it easy to read and amazingly crafted, with one customer noting the author's skill in attention to detail.

"This was a well written, heartfelt story. I prayed, laugh, and cried. It will strengthen your spiritual walk. Must read." Read more

"...Next thing you know everyone is calling her Grammie. What a special scene...." Read more

"...favorite verses and one that I thought of often as I read this well-written book...." Read more

"...It appears this is the author’s first novel. However, the quality of writing is authentic, with complex characters and vivid scenes...." Read more

31 customers mention "Twists and turns"31 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's twists and turns, describing it as an exciting journey through challenges with several surprises along the way.

"...Life was simpler, but times were harder. In the end, you endured hardships because Jesus, himself, had endured hard times, and God is still faithful." Read more

"...The excitement of forging a new life, the joys of friendship, the pain and anger of loss, the stout determination of survival, the abject fear and..." Read more

"...The novel has many surprising twists and turns, and several memorable characters, whose actions show what can transpire when various members of a..." Read more

"...There was a good blend of emotions and action and just enough romance to keep me happy...." Read more

30 customers mention "Emotion level"30 positive0 negative

Customers find the book emotionally engaging, describing it as an emotional roller-coaster that captures their hearts and makes them shed tears.

"This was a well written, heartfelt story. I prayed, laugh, and cried. It will strengthen your spiritual walk. Must read." Read more

"...Charlie is another great character with his simple, silent affirmation of thanks to God by tilting his head up and winking at the sky and saying, “..." Read more

"...excitement of forging a new life, the joys of friendship, the pain and anger of loss, the stout determination of survival, the abject fear and..." Read more

"...This book is an emotional roller-coaster and is full of perfectly placed nuggets of wisdom and gems of faith read this on kindle unlimited but I..." Read more

16 customers mention "Family bond"16 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the family bond in the book, describing it as wonderful with strong ties among neighbors who care for each other, and one customer notes how friends pitch in to help each other.

"...Regardless of where they are, they bond together as a family, pray for each other, and encourage one another...." Read more

"...-solving meant taking it to the Lord in prayer, and friends pitching in to help each other. Bad things happened but good could come out of it...." Read more

"...This was truly a beautiful book of faith, friends, and family." Read more

"...in the 1850s, this is a heartwarming story of an “amazing, eclectic family” that will bring tears and smiles!..." Read more

10 customers mention "Realistic content"7 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the realistic portrayal of trials and miracles in the book.

"...brother Charlie, son and daughter by marriage were all so sweet and hard working. Grammie was the best!!..." Read more

"...put together the feelings of God’s people, the astonishing love and miracles that he produces into a fictional book that reads with reality...." Read more

"...I did enjoy the story, but sometimes I felt as if some things were a little unrealistic...." Read more

"...There are severe trials and many blessings as tiny, incomplete family groups meld with complete strangers to become family in this lovely story...." Read more

A well written Christian romance.
5 out of 5 stars
A well written Christian romance.
I did not buy this book. I borrowed it from our local library system, actually my local library didn't have it so I did a search Ohio and got it from a much farther library. I saw the brief snippet on Facebook and clicked and read so much of that, that had I not found it at my library I think I might have bought it! It's a very well written book. I love the scripture that's throughout. Not wanting to spoil anything, but I especially love the mismatch of people who don't quite have families coming together to make a family. It's just such a wonderful reminder that God truly meets all of our needs AND often blesses us with the desires of our hearts. It says book 1, so I'm off to see if there is a book two already complete and where to find it. Please take the time to read this wonderful book!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Donna Roberts
    5.0 out of 5 stars Discerning God’s Best book series review. A must read!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I love this book series. Each book is about different characters with a new story but interwoven with previous book characters. The historical facts are thoroughly researched making the books more than fiction. It’s refreshing to read how the author uses her faith in God as the characters face life’s challenges. I highly recommend this book series.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Story !
    Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2025
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    This was a well written, heartfelt story. I prayed, laugh, and cried. It will strengthen your spiritual walk. Must read.
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great story
    Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I wish I had read thus one first but read book two first by accident. Great story and will reread book two now.
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  • Barbara Robinson
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite reads!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Historical Christian novel based in the 1800’s which is my favorite genre. Interesting storyline that makes it hard to put down - centered on leaning into faith in God who is our help in all things and through all our struggles. I’m looking forward to more from this author!
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  • SK
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Book Full of Heart
    Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    It took no time at all, once I began reading “Desire of My Heart" to determine that this book was going to be a treasure, the kind of book that totally lives up to the label Christian Historical fiction. The plot was interesting, the characters were very well-drawn from the eldest down to the youngest. The crisis points were not artificially contrived, but were organic for the time (people against nature, against health, against themselves, or against God). All situations were believable for the times the story was set in; Missouri, mid-1800s. What gift-wrapped the story for me was the integrated nature of faith exhibited by various characters and seen throughout the story. Belief in God wasn’t just an add-on seen in the last few chapters, nor was it just simply going to church or praying when all else failed. To me, this made for an inspiring, inspirational Christian fiction that did not disappoint. Kudos to Heidi and to the God she serves.

    Some Enjoyable Snippets:
    I loved the directness of little Thomas. The scene where Thomas and the Trexler family meet Widow Brooks for the first time is precious. Thomas pushes forward, cutting through the chit chat, to what he knows is important, naming Widow Brooks, “Grammie.” Next thing you know everyone is calling her Grammie. What a special scene. A woman who never had children is gifted with children and grandchildren that she prayed for, cared for, and nurtured. Charlie is another great character with his simple, silent affirmation of thanks to God by tilting his head up and winking at the sky and saying, “Thanks God.” I loved the direct testimony Rachel gives about her prayer at age twelve, while in her bed. She asks God to help keep her heart sensitive to His leading, so she could always hear His voice. The O’Sullivan, both Mr. and Mrs. were truly another adult couple that stepped up to give both Rachel and Charlie and many more love, care, and Christian guidance. It wasn’t just one or two characters who lived out their faith, many characters gave testimony concerning God’s leading in their lives, not so much in a formal setting, but as lives lived for Christ. Most characters did not have what would be called an easy, cushioned life by today’s standard or any standard, but many expressed how looking back, they could see God’s care and guidance in and through the trials they had experienced.

    Get and read this book and let it bless you, humble you, correct you, and inspire you, which is what good Christian fiction should do. You will cry a few tears also! Thanks Heidi Gray McGill for the great read.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    An historical novel, taking place in the early 1800's. Desire of my heart covered all the things from orphanages of that time to difficulties caused by childbirth and moving west. Indians and people settling on the land. Life was hard, and strength had to be found in person and in spirit. In this book it was found in Jesus. People helped one another and family were those who were there, who were open to others needs and just helped because it was the Christian thing to do. Life was simpler, but times were harder. In the end, you endured hardships because Jesus, himself, had endured hard times, and God is still faithful.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • E Marsala
    5.0 out of 5 stars So many events
    Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The book is set in the 1800s & covers so many challenges of those times. Readers of present times can relate as orphans are addressed. Corruption is covered as the 16 year old girls were expected to be basically sold to the highest bidder to become his wife as the girls' wishes were not considered. The h instead with God's help runs with her brother to marry a good man who needs a mother for his children.
    Death & illness are addressed as the story builds to include multiple new characters. The dependency of people on others is covered as storms, accidents, widowhood, depression, early maturity of young children & teens, miracles, & dependency on God to provide help are shared. Neighbors support each other & all depend on each other. It's amazing what a family can recover from & still move forward to become more together.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Elaine
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book delighted my heart!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Ps 37:4

    While I think this novel is based on Ps 20:4, Ps 37:4 is one of my all-time favorite verses and one that I thought of often as I read this well-written book.

    The variety of characters in this book are all at different places in their faith walk. Some, like Grammie, have a faith in the Lord that I hope I have someday. Others have been crushed by hard circumstances in life and are struggling with their faith. Regardless of where they are, they bond together as a family, pray for each other, and encourage one another.

    Set in Missouri 1858 in the homesteading days, we meet Rachel, a 17 year old orphan that escapes an orphanage with her 13 year old brother Charlie and marries a man left with the most adorable, precocious 5 year old you’ve ever met and his newborn sister. The way community comes together and helps one another is humbling and inspiring.

    I don’t want to share too much because there are twists and turns that you need to experience first hand, but please read this. I loved it so much!!
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Lydia Purple
    5.0 out of 5 stars Genuine Human/Family experiences! KEEPER!!
    Reviewed in Canada on May 6, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    What a great book! It’s well written and is down home clean and memories of yesteryears. I enjoyed the family ❤️and comradery. It’s loaded with real life experiences that we all deal with even now (and always will.)
    I will definitely read others from this author.
    Don’t miss a wonderful read - for me it’s a keeper!👍😊
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  • Sharon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Desire of my Heart❤️
    Reviewed in Canada on March 13, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This is the first book I have read by Heidi Gray McGill, and I loved it. I didn't want to put it down. What a story, with so much of God's truths throughout. It had many twists and turns that kept me reading to find out what happened next. Can't wait to read the next in the series. She is one of the best Christian authors I have read. Get this book you won't be disappointed ❤️❤️❤️
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  • Annette D
    5.0 out of 5 stars desire of my heart
    Reviewed in Canada on August 28, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Very nice easy reading. Loved the story of how Rachel found a family for her and her brother Charlie. Lots of trials and tribulations but she finally found her happiness.
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  • Bonny Rambarran
    5.0 out of 5 stars All she wants is out of the orphanage and NOT a job in a saloon
    Reviewed in Canada on July 20, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    She answers a moil order bride ad - and leaves. Knowing if she stays she will end up a “woman of the night”. And she finds a godly man — but she does not tell him her story . . . SUPERB BOOK!! LOVED IT
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